Flavel, Fountain of Life, File 9.
( ...continued from File 8)
Sermon 9. The first Branch of Christ's Prophetical Office,
consisting in the Revelation of the Will of God.
Acts 3: 22.
A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever
he shall say unto you.
Having, in the former discourses, shown you the solemn
preparations, both on the Father's part, and on the Son's, for the
blessed design of reconciling us by the meritorious mediation of
Christ: and given you a general prospect of that his mediation, in
the firmer sermon; method now requires, that I proceed to show how
he executes this his mediation, in the discharge of his blessed
offices of Prophet, Priest and King.
His prophetical office consists of two parts; one external,
consisting in a true and full revelation of the will of God to men,
according to John 17: 6. "I have manifested thy name to the men thou
gavest me." The other in illuminating the mind, and opening the
heart to receive and embrace that doctrine. The first part is
contained in the words before us; "A prophet shall the Lord your God
raise up," &c.
Which words are those of Moses, recorded in Deut. 18: 15. And
here, by Peter, pertinently applied to Christ, to convince the
incredulous Jews, that he is the true and only Messiah, and the
great Prophet of the church; whose doctrine it was highly dangerous
to condemn, though out of the mouths of such (otherwise
contemptible) persons as he and John were. And it is well observed
by Calvin, he singles out this testimony of Moses, rather than any
other, because of the great esteem they had for Moses, and his
writings, beyond any others. Now in the words themselves are two
general parts.
First, Christ, according to the prophetical office, described.
Secondly, Obedience to him, as such a prophet, strictly
enjoined.
First, You have here a description of Christ in his prophetical
office; "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me." Where Christ is described,
1. By his title, Prophet, and that, princeps prophetarum, the
prince of the prophets, or the great and chief shepherd, as he is
stiled, Heb. 13: 10. 1 Pet. 5: 4. It belongs to a prophet to expound
the law, declare the will of God, and foretell things to come: all
these meet, and that, in a singular and eminent manner, in Christ
our prophet, Matth. 5: 21, &c. John 1: 18. 1 Pet. 1: 11.
2. He is described by his type; a prophet like unto Moses, who
therein typified and prefigured him. But is it not said of Moses, in
Deut. 34: 10. "that there arose not a prophet since in Israel, like
unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face?" True, of mere men
there never arose so great a prophet in Israel, as Moses was, either
in respect of his familiarity with God, or of his miracles which he
wrought in the power of God: but Moses himself was but a star to
this sun. However, in these following particulars, Christ was like
him. He was a prophet that went between God and the people, carried
God's mind to them, and returned theirs to God, they not being able
to hear the voice of God immediately, Deut. 18: 16, 17. "According
to all that thou desires of the Lord thy God in Horeb, in the day of
the assembly, sayings Let me not again hear the voice of the Lord my
God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not."
And upon this their request, God makes the promise which is cited in
the text; verse 17, 18. "They have well spoken that which they have
spoken. I will raise them up a prophet like unto thee," &c. Moses
was a very faithful prophet, precisely faithful, and exact in all
things that God gave him in charge, even to a pin of the tabernacle.
"Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a
testimony of those things which were to be spoken after: but Christ
as a Son over his own house," Heb. 3: 5, 6. Again, Moses confirmed
his doctrine by miracles, which he wrought in the presence, and to
the conviction of gainsayers. Herein, Christ our Prophet is also
like unto Moses, who wrought many, mighty, and uncontrolled
miracles, which could not be denied, and by them confirmed the
gospel which he preached. Lastly, Moses was that prophet which
brought God's Israel out of literal Egypt, and Christ his out of
spiritual Egypt, whereof that bondage was a figure. Thus he is
described by his likeness to Moses, his type.
3. He is described by his stock and original, from which,
according to his flesh, he sprang; "I will raise him up from among
thy brethren. Of Israel, as concerning the flesh, Christ came," Rom.
9: 5. And "it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah," Heb. 7:
14. He honoured that nation by his nativity. Thus the prophet is
described.
Secondly, Here is a strict injunction of obedience to this
Prophet, Him shall ye hear in all things, &c. By hearing, understand
obedience. So words of sense are frequently put in scripture, to
signify those affections that are moved by, and use to follow those
senses. And this obedience is required to be yielded to this prophet
only, and universally, and under great penalties. It is required to
be given to him only, for so [him] in the text must be understood,
as exclusive of all others. It is true, we are commanded to obey the
voice of his ministers, Heb. 13: 17. But still it is Christ speaking
them, by whom we pay our obedience: He that heareth you, heareth me:
We obey them in the Lord, i.e. commanding or forbidding in Christ's
name and authority. So when God said, Deut. 6: 13, ["Thou shalt
serve him,"] Christ expounds it exclusively, Matth. 4: 10. "Him only
shalt thou serve." He is the only Lord, Jude 4. and therefore to him
only our obedience is required. And as it is due to him only, so to
him universally; "Him shall ye hear in all things:" his commands are
to be obeyed, not disputed. A judgement of discretion indeed is
allowed to Christians, to judge whether it be the will of Christ or
no. We must "prove what is that holy, good, and acceptable will,"
Rom. 12: 2. "His sheep hear his voice, and a stranger they will not
follow: they know his voice, but know not the voice of strangers,"
John 10: 4, 5. But when his will is understood and known, we have no
liberty of choice, but are concluded by it, be the duty commanded
never so difficult, or the sin forbidden never so tempting: and this
is also required severely, under penalty of being destroyed from
among the people, and of God's requiring it at our hands, as it is
in Deut. 18, i.e. of revenging himself in the destruction of the
disobedient. Hence the observation.
Doct. That Jesus Christ is called and appointed by God to be
the great Prophet and teacher of the Church.
He is anointed to preach good tidings to the meek, and sent to
bind up the broken hearted, Isa. 61: 1. When he came to preach the
gospel among the people, then was this scripture fulfilled, Matt.
11: 27. "Yea, all things are delivered him of his Father; so as no
man knoweth whom the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son
will reveal him." All light is now collected into one body of light,
the Sun of righteousness; and he "enlighteneth every man that comets
into the world," John 1: 9. And though he dispensed knowledge
variously, in times past, speaking in many ways and divers manners,
to the fathers; yet now the method and way of revealing the will of
God to us is fixed and settled in Christ: In these last times he has
spoken to us by his Son
Twice has the Lord solemnly sealed him to this office, or
approved and owned him in it, by a miraculous voice from the most
excellent glory, Matth. 3: 17 and Matth. 17: 5.
In this point there are two things doctrinally to be discussed
and opened, viz. What Christ's being a Prophet to the church
implies: and how he executes and discharges this his office.
First, What is implied in Christ's being a Prophet to the
church: And it necessarily imports these three things.
1. The natural ignorance and blindness of men in the things of
God. This shows us that "vain man is born as the wild ass's colt."
the world is involved in darkness: The people sit as in the region
and shadow of death till Christ arise upon their souls, Matt. 4: 15,
16,17. It is true, in the state of innocence man had a clear
apprehension of the will of God, without a Mediator: but now that
light is quenched in the corruption of nature, "and the natural man
receiveth not the things of God," 1 Cor. 2: 14. These things of God
are not only contrary to corrupt and carnal reason, but they are
also above right reason. Grace indeed uses nature, but nature can do
nothing without grace. The mind of a natural man has not only a
native blindness, by reason whereof it cannot discern the things of
the Spirit, but also a natural enmity, Rom. 8: 7, and hates the
light, John 3: 19, 20. So that until the mind be healed, and
enlightened by Jesus Christ, the natural faculty can no more discern
the things of the Spirit, than the sensitive faculty can discern the
things of reason. The mysteries of nature may be discovered by the
light of nature; but when it comes to supernatural mysteries, there,
omnis Platonicorum caligavit subtilitus, as Cyprian somewhere
speaks, the most subtle, searching, penetrating wit and reason, is
at a loss.
2. It implies the divinity of Christ, and proves him to be true
God, forasmuch as no other can reveal to the world, in all ages, the
secrets that lay hid in the heart of God, and that with such
convincing evidence and authority. He brought his doctrine from the
bosom of His Father; John 1: 18. "The only begotten Son, Who is in
the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him." The same words which
his Father gave him he has given us, John 17: 8. He spake to us that
which he had seen with his Father, John 8: 38. What man can tell the
bosom-counsels and secrets of God? Who but he that eternally lay in
that bosom can expound them?
Besides, other prophets had their times assigned them to rise,
shine, and set again by death, Zech. 1: 5. "Your fathers, where are
they? And do the prophets live for ever?" But Christ is fixed and
perpetual sun, that gives light in all ages of the world: for he is
"the same yesterday, today, and for ever," Heb. 13: 8. Yea, and the
very beams of his divinity shone with awfulness upon the hearts of
them that heard him; so that his very enemies were forced to
acknowledge, that, "never any man spake like him," John 7: 46.
3. It implies Christ to be the original and fountain of all
that light which is ministerially diffused up and down the world by
men. Ministers are but stars, which shine with a borrowed light from
the sun: so speaks the apostle, 2 Cor. 3: 6, 7. "For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined into our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in
the face of Jesus Christ." Those that teach men, must be first
taught by Christ. All the prophets of the Old, and all the prophets,
pastors, and teachers of the New-Testament, have lighted their
candles at his torch: it was Christ that "gave them a mouth and
wisdom," Luke 21: 15. What Paul received from the Lord, he delivered
to the church, 1 Cor. 11: 23 Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd, 1
Pet. 5: 4. and all the under-shepherds receive their gifts and
commissions from him. These things are manifestly implied in
Christ's prophetical office.
Secondly, We shall next enquire how he executes and discharges
this his office, or how he enlightens and teacheth men the will of
God. And this he has done variously, gradually, plainly, powerfully,
sweetly, purely, and fully.
1. Our great Prophet has revealed unto men the will of God
variously; not holding one even and constant tenor in the
manifestations of the Father's will, but as the apostle speaks,
"polumeros kai polutropos", at sundry times, and in divers manners,
Heb. 1: 1. Sometimes he taught the church immediately, and in his
own person, John 18: 20. He declared God's righteousness in the
great congregation, Psal. 22: 22. And sometimes mediately, by his
ministers and officers, deputed to that service by him. So he
dispensed the knowledge of God to the church before his incarnation;
it was Christ that in the time, and by the ministry of Noah, went
and preached to the spirits in prison, as it is 1 Pet. 3: 19, that
is, to men and women then alive, but now separated from the body,
and imprisoned in hell for their disobedience. And it was Christ
that was with the church in the wilderness, instructing and guiding
them by the ministry of Moses and Aaron, Acts 7: 37, 38; and so he
has taught the church since his ascension. He cannot now be
personally with us, having other business to do for us in heaven;
but, however, he will not be wanting to teach us by his officers,
whom, for that end, he has set and appointed in the church, Eph. 4:
11, 12.
2. He has dispensed his blessed light to the church gradually.
The discoveries of light have been "polumeros", that is, in many
parts or parcels; sometimes more obscure and cloudy; as to the Old-
Testament believers, by visions dreams, Urim, Thummim, vocal
oracles, types, sacrifices, &c. which, though comparatively, were
but a weak glimmering light, and had no glory compared to that which
now shines, 2 Cor. 3: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. yet it was sufficient for the
instruction and salvation of the elect in those times, but now is
light sprung up gloriously in the gospel-dispensation: "And we all
with open face, behold as in a glass, the glory of the Lord." It is
to us not a twilight, but the light of a perfect day; and still is
advancing in the several ages of the world. I know more (saith
Luther) than blessed Austin knew; and they that come after me, will
know more than I know.
3. Jesus Christ, our great Prophet, has manifested to us the
will of God plainly and perspicuously. When he was on earth himself,
he taught the people by parables, and "without a parable he spake
nothing," Matt. 13: 3, 4. He clothed sublime and spiritual mysteries
in earthly metaphors, bringing them thereby to the low and dull
capacities of men, speaking so familiarly to the people about them,
as if he had been speaking earthly things to them, John 3: 12. And
so (according to his own example) would he have his ministers
preach, "using great plainness of speech," 2 Cor. 3: 12. and by
manifestation of the truth, "commending themselves to every man's
conscience," 1 Cor. 4: 2. Yet not allowing them to be rude and
careless in expression, pouring out undigested, crude, immethodical
words; no, a holy serious, strict, and grave expression befits the
lips of his ambassadors: and who ever spake more weightily, more
logically, persuasively than that apostle, by whose pen Christ has
admonished us to beware of vain affections and swelling words of
vanity? But he would have us stoop to the understandings of the
meanest, and not give the people a comment darker than the text; he
would have us rather pierce their ears, than tickle their fancies;
and break their hearts than please their ears. Christ was a very
plain preacher.
4. Jesus Christ discovered truth powerfully, speaking "as one
having authority, and not as the Pharisees," Matt. 7: 29. They were
cold and dull preachers, their words did even freeze betwixt their
lips; but Christ spake with power; there was heat as well as light
in his doctrine: and so there is still, though it be in the mouth of
poor contemptible men, 2 Cor. 10: 4. "The weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God, to the casting down of
strongholds: it is still quick and powerful, sharper than a two
edged sword; and piercing, to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of joints and marrow," Heb. 4: 12. The blessed apostle
imitated Christ; and being filled with his spirit, spake home and
freely to the hearts of men. So many words, so many claps of
thunder, (as ones said of him) which made the hearts of sinners
shake and tremble in their breasts. All faithful and able ministers
are not alike gifted in this particular; but, surely, there is a
holy seriousness and spiritual grace and majesty in their doctrine,
commanding reverence from their hearers.
5. This Prophet, Jesus Christ, taught the people the mind of
God in a sweet, affectionate, and taking manner; his words made
their hearts burn within them, Luke 24: 32. It was prophesied of
him, Isa. 42: 2. "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice
to be heard on high. A bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking
flax he shall not quench. He knew how to speak word in season to the
weary soul," Isa. 61: 1. "He gathered the Lambs with his arms, and
gently led those that were with young," Isa. 4: 11. How sweetly did
his words slide to the melting hearts about him! he drew with cords
of love, with the bands of a man: he discouraged none, upbraided
none that were willing to come to him: his familiarity and free
condescensionds to the most vile and despicable sinners, were often
made the matter of his reproach. Such is his gentle and sweet
carriage to his people, that the church is called the Lamb's wife,
Rev. 19: 7.
6. He revealed the mind of God purely to men; his doctrine had
not the least dash of error to debase it; his most enviously
observant hearers could find nothing to charge him with: he is "the
faithful and true witness," Rev. 1: 5, and he has commanded his
ministers to preserve the simplicity and purity of the gospel, and
not to blend and sophisticate it, 2 Cor. 4: 2.
7. And lastly, He revealed the will of God perfectly and fully,
keeping back nothing needful to salvation. So he tells his
disciples, John 15: 15. "All things that I have heard of my Father,
I have made known unto you." He was "faithful as a Son over his own
house," Heb. 3: 6. Thus you have a brief account of what is implied
in this part of Christ's prophetical office, and how he performed
it.
Inference 1. If Jesus Christ, who is now passed into the
heavens, be the great Prophet and Teacher of the church; hence we
may justly infer the continual necessity of a standing ministry of
the church: for by his ministers he now teacheth us, and to that
intent has fixed them in the church, by a firm constitution, there
to remain to the end of the world, Matt. 28: 20. He teacheth men
more personally, but ministerially. His ministers supply the want of
his personal presence, 2 Cor. 5: 10. "We pray you in Christ stead."
These officers he gave the church at his ascension, i.e. when he
ceased to teach them any longer with his own lips; and so set them
in the church that their succession shall never totally fail: for so
the word "etheto", he has set, 1 Cor. 12: 28. plainly implies. They
are set by a sure establishment, a firm and unalterable
constitution, even as the times and seasons, which the Father hath
put ["etheto"] in his own power: it is the same word, and it is well
they are so firmly set and fixed there; for how many adversaries in
a}I ages have endeavoured to shake the very office itself?
pretending that it is needless to be taught by men, and wresting
such scriptures as these to countenance their error, Joel 2: 28, 29,
"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
daughters shall prophesy," &c. And Jer. 31: 34. "These shall teach
no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord; for they shall all know me from the least of them to
the greatest of them." As to that of Joel, it is answered, That if
an Old-Testament prophecy may be understood according to a
New-Testament interpretation, then that prophecy does no way oppose,
but confirm the gospel ministry. How the apostle understood the
prophet in that his prophecy, may be seen in Acts 2: 17, when the
Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost upon the apostles. And
surely he must be a confident person indeed, that thinks not an
apostle to be as good an expositor of the prophet, as himself. And
for that in Jer. 31 we say,
1. That if it conclude against ministerial teachings, it must
equally conclude against Christian conferences.
2. We say that cannot be the sense of one scripture which
contradicts the plain sense of other scriptures: but so this would,
Eph. 4: 11,12. 1 Cor. 12: 28.
3. And we say, the sense of that text is not negative, but
comparative. Not that they shall have no need to be taught any
truth, but no such need to he taught the first truths: That there is
a God, and who is this true God: They shall no more teach every "man
his brother, saying, allow the Lord! for they shall all "know me."
To conclude, God has given ministers to the church for the work of
conversion and edification, "till we all come into the unity of the
faith, to a perfect man," Eph. 4: 11, 12. So that when all the elect
are converted, and all those converts become perfect men; when there
is no error in judgement or practice, and no seducer to cause it,
then, and not till then, will a gospel ministry be useless. But (as
it is well observed) there is not a man that opposes a gospel
ministry, but the very being of that man is a sufficient argument
for the continuance of it.
Inf. 2. If Christ be the great Prophet of the church, and such
a Prophet; then it follows, that the weakest Christians need not be
discouraged at the dullness and incapacity they find in themselves:
for Christ is not only a patient and condescending teacher, but he
can also, as he has often done, reveal that to babes, which is hid
from the wise and learned, Matth. 11: 25. "The testimonies of the
Lord are sure, making wise the simple," Psal. 19: 7. Yea, and such
as you are, the Lord delights to choose, that his grace may be the
more conspicuous in your weakness, 1 Cor. 1: 26, 27. You will have
nothing of your own to glory in; you will not say, as a proud wretch
once said, Ego et Deus meus; "I and my God did this." Jesus Christ
affects not social glory, he will not divide the praise with any.
Well then, be not discouraged; others may know more, in other things
than you, but you are not incapable of knowing so much as shall save
your souls, if Christ will be your teacher, in other knowledge they
excel you: but if ye know Jesus Christ, and the truth as it is in
him, one drop of your knowledge is worth a whole sea of their gifts:
one truth sucked in faith and prayer from the breast of Christ is
better than ten thousand dry notions beaten out by racking the
understanding. It is better in kind, the one being but natural, the
other super natural, from the saving illuminations and inward
teachings of the Spirit: and so is one of those better things that
accompany salvation. It is better in respect of effects; other
knowledge leaves the heart as dry, barren, and unaffected, as if it
had its seat in another man's head; but that little you have been
taught of Christ, sheds down its gracious influence upon your
affections, and slides sweetly to your melting hearts. So that as
one "preferred the most despicable work of a plain rustic Christian,
before all the triumphs of Alexander and Caesar;" much more ought
you so prefer one saving manifestation of the Spirit, to all the
powerless illuminations of natural men.
Inf. 3. If Christ be the great Prophet and teacher of the
church; it follows, That prayer is a proper mean for the increase of
knowledge: Prayer is the golden key that unlocks that treasure. When
Daniel was to expound that secret which was contained in the king's
dream, about which the Chaldean magicians had racked their brains to
no purpose; what course does Daniel take? Why, "he went to his
house, (saith the text, Dan. 2: 17, 18) and made the thing known to
Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah his companions; that they would
desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning his secret." And then
was the secret revealed to Daniel. Luther was wont to say, "Three
things made a divine; meditation, temptation, and prayer." Holy Mr.
Bradford was wont to study upon his knees. Those truths that are got
by prayer, leave an unusual sweetness upon the heart. If Christ be
our teacher, it becomes all his saints to be at his feet.
Inf. 4. If Christ be the great Prophet and teacher of the
church, We may thence discern and judge of doctrines, and it may
serve us as a test to try then by. For such as Christ is, such are
the doctrines that flow from him; every error pretends to derive
itself from him; but as Christ was holy, humble, heavenly, meek,
peaceful, plain and simple, and in all things alien, yea, contrary
to the wisdom of the world, the gratifications of the flesh, such
are the truths which he teacheth. They have his character and image
engraven on them. Would you know then whether this or that doctrine
be from the Spirit of Christ or no? Examine the doctrine itself by
this rule. And whatsoever doctrine you find to encourage and
countenance sin, to exalt self, to be accommodated to earthly
designs and interests, to wrap and bend to the humours and lusts of
men; in a word, what doctrine soever directly, and as a proper cause
makes them that profess it carnal, turbulent, proud, sensual, &c.
you may safely reject it, and conclude this never came from Jesus
Christ. The doctrine of Christ is after godliness; his truth
sanctifies. There is a Gustus spirituals judicii, a spiritual taste,
by which those that have their senses exercised, can distinguish
things that differ. "The spiritual man judgeth all things," 1 Cor.
2: 15. "His ear tries words, as his mouth tasteth meats," Job 34: 3.
Swallow nothing (let it come never so speciously) that has not some
relish of Christ and holiness in it. Be sure, Christ never revealed
any thing to men, that derogates from his own glory, or prejudices
and obstructs the ends of his own death.
Inf. 5. And as it will reeve us for a test of doctrines, so it
serves for a test of ministers; and hence you may judge who are
authorised and sent by Christ the great Prophet, to declare his will
to men. Surely those whom he sends have his Spirit in their hearts,
as well as his words in their mouths. And according to the measures
of grace received, they faithfully endeavour to fulfil their
ministry for Christ, as Christ did for his Father: "As my Father
has sent me (saith Christ) so send I you," John 20: 21. They take
Christ for their pattern in the whole course of their ministration,
and are such as sincerely endeavour to imitate the great Shepherd,
in these six particulars following:
1. Jesus Christ was a faithful Minister, the "faithful and true
witness," Rev. 1: 5. He declared the whole mind of God to men. Of
him it was prophetically said, Psal. 40: 10. "I have not hid thy
righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness, and
thy salvation; I leave not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy
truth from the great congregation." To the same sense, and almost in
the same words, the apostle Paul professed, in Acts 20: 20. "I have
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; and ver. 35. "I have
shewed you all things." Not that every faithful minister does in
course of his ministry, anatomise the whole body of truth, and fully
expound and apply each particular to the people: No, that is not the
meaning, but of those doctrines which they have opportunity of
opening, they do not out of fear, or to accommodate and secure base
low ends, with hold the mind of God, or so corrupt and abuse his
words, as to subject truth to their own, or other men's lusts: "They
preach not as pleasing men, but God," 1 Thess. 2: 4. "For if we yet
please men, we cannot be the servants of Christ," Gal. 1: 10. Truth
must be spoken, though the greatest on earth be offended.
2. Jesus Christ was a tender-hearted Minister, full of
compassion to souls. He was sent to bind up the broken in heart,
Isa. 61: 1. He was full of bowels to poor sinners. "He grieved at
the hardness of men's hearts, Mark 3: 5. He mourned over Jerusalem,
"and said, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! how oft would I have gathered thy
children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings!" Matth. 23:
27. His bowels yearned when he saw the multitude, as sheep having no
shepherd, Matth. 9: 37. These bowels of Christ must be in all the
under shepherds. "God is my witness, (saith one of them) how greatly
I long after you all, in [or after the pattern of] the bowels of
Christ Jesus," Phil. 1: 8. He that shows a hard heart, unaffected
with the dangers and miseries of souls, can never show a commission
from Christ to authorise him for ministerial work.
3. Jesus Christ zeal a laborious painful Minister, he put a
necessity on himself to finish his work in his day; a work
infinitely great, in a very little time; John 9: 4. "I must work the
works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comets, when
no man can work." O how much work did Christ do in a little time on
earth! "He went about doing good," Acts 10: 38. He was never idle.
When he sits down at Jacob's well, to rest himself, being weary,
presently he falls into his work, preaching the gospel to the
Samaritaness. In this must his ministers resemble him; "striving
according to his working, that worketh in them mightily" Col. 1: 28,
29. An idle minister seems to be a contradictions in adjecto; as who
should say, a dark light.
4. Jesus Christ delighted in nothing more than the success of
his ministry; to see the work of the Lord prosper in his hand, this
was meat and drink to him. When the seventy returned, and reported
the success of their first embassy, "Lord, even the devils are
subject to us through thy name!" "Why, (saith Christ) I beheld Satan
fall as lightning from heaven." As if he had said, You tell me no
news, I saw it when I sent you out at first: I knew the gospel would
make work where it came. "And in that hour Jesus rejoiced in
spirit," Luke 10: 17, 18, 21. And is it not so with those sent by
him? do not they value the success of their ministry at a high rate?
It is not (saith one) the expense, but the recoiling of our labours
back again upon us, that kills us. Ministers would not die so fast,
nor be grey-headed so soon, could they but see the travail of their
souls. "My little children, (saith Paul) of whom I travail again in
birth, "palin odino", till Christ be formed in you", Gal. 4: 19. As
for those that have the name of shepherds only, who visit the flock
only once a year, about shearing time; who have "the instruments of
a foolish shepherd," (forcipes et mulctra) the shears and pail,
Zech. 11: 15, woeful will be their condition at appearing of this
great Shepherd.
5. Jesus Christ was a minister that lived up to his doctrine:
his life and doctrine harmonised in all things. He pressed to
holiness in his doctrine, and was the great pattern of holiness in
his life, Matt. 11: 28 "Learn of me, I am meek and lowly." And such
his ministers desire to approve themselves, Phil. 4: 9. "What ye
have heard, and seen in me, that do." He preached to their eyes, as
well as ears, His life was a comment on his doctrine. They might see
holiness acted in his life, as well as sounded by his lips. He
preached the doctrine, and lived the application.
6. And lastly, Jesus Christ was a minister that minded and
maintained sweet, secret communion with God, for all his constant
public labours. If he had been preaching and healing all the day,
yet he would redeem time from his very sleep to spend in secret
prayer; Matt. 14: 23. "When he had sent the multitude away, he went
up into a mountain apart to pray, and was there alone." O blessed
pattern! Let the keepers of the vineyards remember they have a
vineyard of their own to keep, a soul of their own that must be
looked after as well as other men's. Those that, in these things,
imitate Christ, are surely sent to us from him, and are worthy of
double honour: They are a choice blessing to the people.
(continued in file 10...)
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